The recently released iPhone 16e marks the final device in the series, with the iPhone 17 series expected to launch in September 2025. While there have been numerous leaks about the iPhone 17 Air and iPhone 17 Pro models, the base iPhone 17 is set to bring some significant upgrades. Here are six key reasons why you might want to upgrade from the iPhone 16.
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1. A Bigger Screen
The standard iPhone 17 is expected to get a size upgrade, moving from the iPhone 16 and earlier models’ 6.1-inch screen to a slightly larger 6.3-inch OLED panel. This would put it on par with the iPhone 16 Pro in terms of display size and give it slightly larger overall dimensions.
That might actually make sense, especially since Apple has already launched the iPhone 16e as the new 6.1-inch option. A 6.3-inch iPhone 17 could strike a nice balance between the more compact “e” series and the upcoming iPhone 17 Air, which is rumored to replace the Plus model and feature a 6.6-inch screen.
So yes, the iPhone 17 would still feel fairly compact, just a bit larger. Apple might also reduce the bezels, so the overall size may not increase by much.
2. 120Hz ProMotion Display
Apple has kept its ProMotion displays exclusive to the “Pro” models since the iPhone 13 series. That means it has been four generations of 60Hz panels for the base iPhones. But that’s expected to change with the iPhone 17.
This time, the entire iPhone 17 lineup is rumored to feature ProMotion displays with a 1-120Hz refresh rate for smoother visuals. That means you could finally enjoy high refresh rate gaming, watch high frame rate movies, and maybe even get the Always On Display feature.
3. Next-Gen A19 Chip
Apple’s A18 chip in the iPhone 16 is already incredibly powerful and can handle AAA games like Resident Evil 4 with ease. It’s also highly efficient when it comes to battery use.
The iPhone 17 series is expected to debut Apple’s next-generation A19 chips, built on the improved 3nm N3P process. The standard iPhone 17 and iPhone 17 Air may feature the A19 chip, while the Pro models will likely get the A19 Pro.
You can expect better performance, improved graphics, faster AI processing, and even greater efficiency compared to the iPhone 16.
4. A 24MP Selfie Camera
All iPhone 17 series models, including the base version, are rumored to get an upgrade from a 12-megapixel to a 24-megapixel front camera. That means sharper, more detailed selfies.
There’s also talk that Apple might add a mechanical aperture this time, giving you control over how much light enters the lens. So yes—better hardware, pro-level camera controls, and an overall improved experience for selfies and video calls.
5. Apple’s Custom Wi-Fi 7 Chip
Apple is reportedly developing an in-house Wi-Fi 7 chip, codenamed “Proxima,” to be manufactured by TSMC and used across all iPhone 17 models. The iPhone 16e already features Apple’s custom C1 modem, marking a shift away from reliance on Qualcomm.
Currently, iPhones use a combined Wi-Fi and Bluetooth chip from Broadcom. While the new Wi-Fi chip is separate from the C1 modem, Apple is believed to be working toward integrating them into a single component for better performance and power efficiency.
6. 35W Fast Charging
The base iPhone 16 supports fast charging with a 20W or higher PD adapter. The iPhone 17 is expected to bump that up to 35W, offering slightly faster wired charging.
For comparison, the iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max already support 45W. Apple also recently increased MagSafe wireless charging speeds to 25W, signaling a broader push toward faster power delivery.
